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Hey, everyone!
Anyone up for a dispatch from the American lower leagues?
Ramble of the Day
Last year, I rambled about how sports teams in North America (and likely elsewhere) love to do themed nights, from Nickelodeon night to Star Wars night. There’s an update in the category, with third division side Forward Madison FC inspired by The Office.
Meet Stanley!
— Forward Madison FC (@ForwardMSNFC) August 19, 2019
Leslie David Baker (a.k.a. Stanley) from "The Office" will make a special appearance at our home game on Wednesday, Aug. 28.
️ Stanley Pack tickets: https://t.co/S0SEvU9hmK pic.twitter.com/W6Qlek2GoK
Coincidentally, I’m watching reruns of The Office as I type this, but that’s not really why I find this to be very cool. They’ve not just picked a niche theme dedicated to a relatively well-known, but under-discussed, character on a popular television show, but they’re going to have the person that played him there! I suddenly need to know about the whole thing, from the creation of the idea to the pitch to Leslie David Baker.
The other parts of the theme were also nailed:
Get your Stanley Pack!
— Forward Madison FC (@ForwardMSNFC) August 19, 2019
$32 gets you a match ticket, a soft pretzel, a crossword puzzle, and a Forward/Office tee for our Aug. 28 game!
️ Stanley Pack tickets: https://t.co/S0SEvU9hmK pic.twitter.com/ta3YJOzz6B
It’s obviously a decent deal for the money — the pretzel is a particularly nice touch in terms of providing a snack for those in attendance and staying on theme. The rest of it leans into the theme nicely. If you’ve seen the show, you know how well the execution is, and if you haven’t, you can probably figure out Stanley likes pretzels and crosswords. All we’re missing is the mistress, though I imagine that’s a bit harder to arrange.
Still, I’m very impressed and hope all in attendance — including Baker himself — have a splendid time. I do wish a team near me had done such a thing, but there’s always an opportunity in the future.
tl;dr: I’m very into Forward Madison’s Stanley night.
Links of the Day
Bolton has postponed its League One match against Doncaster over fears of overworking youth players.
A start date of May 5, 2020 has been set for the pay discrimination lawsuit filed by the United States women’s national team.
Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembélé will miss five weeks with a hamstring strain.
FIFA says ten countries have expressed interest in hosting the 2023 women’s World Cup,
Today’s longer read: Jack Williams on the rise of family members as agents and intermediaries for The New York Times